Both classes and records serve as tools for defining data structures in C#, yet they exhibit distinctions in their intended use and behavior. Below is a juxtaposition of classes and records in C#:
Intended Usage:
Classes: Primarily designed for encapsulating data and behavior into a single unit. They support inheritance, polymorphism, and can have mutable state.
Records: Specifically crafted for immutable data structures and pattern matching. Records are well-suited for scenarios where data is read-only and instances are expected to be immutable.
Mutability:
Classes: Can have mutable state, meaning the values of their properties can be modified after the object is created.
Records: Promote immutability by default. The properties in a record are read-only, and any modification results in the creation of a new instance with the updated values.
Equality:
Classes: Equality is reference-based by default. Two instances are considered equal only if they reference the same object in memory.
Records: Equality is based on the values of their properties, not the references. If two records have the same property values, they are considered equal, promoting value-based equality.
Syntax:
Classes: Declared using the class keyword. Developers explicitly define properties, methods, and other members.
Records: Declared using the record keyword. The compiler generates several members automatically, including equality methods and a concise syntax for property declarations.
Immutability Emphasis:
Classes: Immutability is not emphasized, and developers need to take additional steps to create immutable classes if desired.
Records: Immutability is a key feature, and the compiler provides support for immutability by default.
Use Cases:
Classes: Suitable for scenarios where mutable state, inheritance, and polymorphism are essential, such as modeling complex behaviors or creating frameworks.
Records: Ideal for representing immutable data structures, DTOs (Data Transfer Objects), and when value-based equality and pattern matching are significant.
References
Classes, structs, and records in C# - C# | Microsoft Learn
Difference between class and record type in C# | by Kamlesh Singh | Medium